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12-06-2019, 19:32
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
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HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Hauling the boat out TOMORROW and need to pickle membrane, but not sure how I can do it in this situation. Katadyn PowerSurvivor 80E was used daily and working perfectly until this week. Now when when I turn it on it pumps a high volume (10 times the usual) of salt water out the freshwater exit line. No brine is being produced, it's all going through. Not sure if there is a seal that could have blown or if the actual membrane has failed and what to do because I need to leave the boat in Mexico for the next few months.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
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12-06-2019, 22:19
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Tavernier, Fl
Boat: Outremer 50
Posts: 750
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Flush with fresh water then pickle. Sort the problem when you return.
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13-06-2019, 05:09
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#4
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2017
Boat: Retired from CF
Posts: 13,317
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
If Rich is nearby he may be willing to help
Rich@cruiserowater.com
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13-06-2019, 05:55
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: ‘01 Catana 401
Posts: 9,626
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
But some pvc pipe with a cap on one end, and a clean out on the other.
Pull the membrane, rinse with fresh unchlorinated water, then place in the PVC submerged in pickling solution.
Worry about the seals later while the membrane stays biologically clean and damp in a dark hole.
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13-06-2019, 06:15
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Boat: Gemini 3200
Posts: 982
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Sailmonkey's suggestion is better. Clearly your watermaker is not forcing water through the membrane so running fresh water through it will only wash salt off the outside of the membrane. Submerge the membrane in distilled water until you can get back to it and deal with the problem.
Fabbian
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13-06-2019, 07:33
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Palmetto, FL
Boat: "Wanderlust" -- 1999 Jefferson Rivanna 52'
Posts: 874
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailmonkey
But some pvc pipe with a cap on one end, and a clean out on the other.
Pull the membrane, rinse with fresh unchlorinated water, then place in the PVC submerged in pickling solution.
Worry about the seals later while the membrane stays biologically clean and damp in a dark hole.
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That's a brilliant idea.
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13-06-2019, 07:52
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Thanks so much! Very helpful info.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GordMay
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13-06-2019, 07:57
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailmonkey
But some pvc pipe with a cap on one end, and a clean out on the other.
Pull the membrane, rinse with fresh unchlorinated water, then place in the PVC submerged in pickling solution.
Worry about the seals later while the membrane stays biologically clean and damp in a dark hole.
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Thanks for the advice. If I'm not able to get PVC pipe (which is likely in my location), can I basically store the membrane in anything that holds the pickling solution as long as it stays out of the sun? I'm going to have to use a garbage bag or something as time and resources are limited.
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13-06-2019, 08:01
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
I’d plan on replacing the membrane myself, cause if you don’t then when you return you may not have a watermaker, and it sounds like one is important to have, and parts aren’t available where you are
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13-06-2019, 08:02
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Quote:
Originally Posted by john61ct
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Thanks! Rich is on vacation, but he responded to my email. Awesome guy!
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13-06-2019, 08:03
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#12
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2017
Boat: Retired from CF
Posts: 13,317
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
He sure is
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13-06-2019, 08:09
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot
I’d plan on replacing the membrane myself, cause if you don’t then when you return you may not have a watermaker, and it sounds like one is important to have, and parts aren’t available where you are
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Unless it is the seal, then I still won't have a water-maker. But yeah it's essential in the Northern Sea of Cortez with small water tanks. But don't have time to take it apart now, so probably should get both.
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13-06-2019, 09:20
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Biloxi, MS
Boat: 1978 Cabo Rico Tiburon 36 "Isabella"
Posts: 597
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GordMay
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Gord, man, you must live in the Matrix or something. You can provide relevant information faster than Alexa!
Thank you!
Jim
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13-06-2019, 10:01
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: So Cal
Boat: Beneteau 38 Nordlund 72, Marquess 55, Jenneau 49
Posts: 541
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.
Here is Gary's webpage if you can see it. Go to watermaker info on left side
Ishipaco Homepage
This is for the 40E but I believe they are pretty much the same except up scaled. This helped my friend rebuild his down to the smallest valve and really understand them
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